Top picks of 2023!
A doctoral student providing life-saving CPR. Faculty members conducting cutting-edge research — and one even elected president of a national professional organization. Some of our nation’s most pressing wastewater challenges tackled by a PHHP alumnus. These are only a few of the newsroom’s most popular stories from 2023. See how our community is going greater across the Gator Nation and beyond.
Top Stories
PHHP achieves record research funding
College investigators received grants from a mix of federal, state, non-profit and industry partners.
The University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions achieved a new high in research funding, receiving $54.8 million in grants and awards in fiscal year 2022-2023. The total represents a 23% increase in funding over the previous year.
“To be awarded these highly-competitive grants our faculty need to demonstrate that their research is at the cutting-edge of science,” said Beth A. Virnig, Ph.D., M.P.H., dean of the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions. “Our researchers’ success in competing for funding validates that their work has the real potential to change the lives of people, from individual patients to global communities, through disease prevention, early detection and treatment, and limiting the impact of chronic illness.” Read the full story here…
Accomplishments
Dr. Ji-Hyun Lee elected American Statistical Association president
ASA is the world’s largest community of statisticians, with more than 19,000 members in more than 90 countries.
Members of the American Statistical Association elected Ji-Hyun Lee, DrPH, a professor of biostatistics in the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions, president of ASA for the 2025 term. Read the full story here…
Student Spotlight
When seconds count
How an OTD student’s CPR training made a difference
Genesis Triplett, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy student in the department of occupational therapy, provided life-sustaining CPR to a neighbor in need, thanks to an alert from the Pulse Point Foundation mobile app. Read the full story here…
News Briefs
Feedback Fruits
PHHP staff member Lior Flum leads launch of new university-wide group member evaluation tool
Lior Flum, PHHP instructional designer, identified a need for a better classroom group evaluation tool. He applied for and was awarded the competitive UF Tech Fee grant for educational innovation utilizing technology.
Now, Feedback Fruits, an evaluation tool that is constructive, easy-to-use and integrates seamlessly within the Canvas system, is being launched university wide. Read full story here…
Alumni Spotlight
Increasing access to safe sanitation systems
Zach Lowenstein, M.P.H., is leading a federal initiative in wastewater management to protect the public health of at-risk communities.
More than two million Americans have limited access to safe wastewater and sanitation systems. This gap in access disproportionately impacts rural communities, individuals living in poverty, and people of color. As a program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Zach Lowenstein heads a joint initiative between the EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap.” This project will directly address wastewater needs in underserved communities nationwide. Read the full story here…
In the News
What's behind the 'middle-aged groan'?
Meryl Alappattu, D.P.T., Ph.D., a research assistant professor of physical therapy and faculty member in the Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence, weighs in.
Meryl Alappattu talks with the New York Times about the sounds we make when we bend over, stand up and sit down. Read the full story here…